Mountadam Vineyards sits in the High Eden sub-region of Eden Valley, within the broader Barossa zone of South Australia, at around 550 metres above sea level, which lends a cooler, more elegant profile to its wines. Founded in 1972 by David Wynn, a key figure in modern Australian wine, the estate was an early pioneer of cool-climate Chardonnay and later planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling and other varieties across Eden and Barossa sites.

Barossa Valley, just north of Adelaide in South Australia, is one of the world’s classic warm-climate wine regions. Broad valley floors and rolling hills sit in the rain shadow of the Mount Lofty Ranges, creating hot, dry summers, cool nights and long, even ripening. Gully breezes, altitude shifts, and (often) dry-grown old vines help preserve acidity and concentrate flavour, while irrigation is used sparingly where needed.

Soils are diverse and a key to site expression: red-brown loams over clay, sandy loams on the valley floor, ironstone and quartz gravels around Marananga and Greenock, and leaner, stony patches on slopes. This mosaic supports some of the world’s oldest surviving, own-rooted vines.

Shiraz is the emblem—typically full-bodied and plush—with Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mataro (Mourvèdre) close behind; GSM blends are a regional specialty. Whites include textured Semillon, generous Chardonnay and a rising cast of Mediterranean varieties (Fiano, Vermentino).

Styles span rich, oak-matured icons to fresher, medium-bodied interpretations. Classic Barossa reds deliver dark plum, blackberry and black cherry layered with chocolate, licorice, anise and warm spice; whole-bunch and French-oak regimes can add peppery lift and floral top notes. Semillon shows lemon curd, brioche and honey with age, while modern whites lean citrus, pear and a faint saline snap. The best wines combine power, polish and age-worthy depth.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely planted and celebrated red grape varieties, known for its deep colour, firm tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Originating in Bordeaux, France, as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, it has become a global benchmark for structured, full-bodied red wines.

Viticulturally, Cabernet Sauvignon is a hardy, late-ripening grape that thrives in warm, sunny climates. It produces small, thick-skinned berries, contributing to its bold tannic structure and deep colour. The vine is relatively resistant to disease and adapts well to diverse soils, making it suitable for a wide range of terroirs.

Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is planted extensively across the world—from its French homeland in Bordeaux’s Left Bank, to California’s Napa Valley, Chile’s Maipo Valley, Australia’s Coonawarra, and South Africa’s Stellenbosch. It often forms the backbone of blends, particularly in Bordeaux-style wines, but also shines as a varietal expression.

Flavour profiles typically include blackcurrant (cassis), blackberry, mint, cedar, and tobacco, often developing notes of leather, earth, and spice with age. Styles range from fruit-forward and plush in warmer climates to structured and herbal in cooler ones. Cabernet Sauvignon’s power, elegance, and longevity make it a cornerstone of fine red winemaking worldwide.